ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus Not Hurt by Budget Cuts
Feb 13, 2009
I was glad to read in today's Phoenix Business Journal that because ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus is funded by a bond program, it is largely immune from state budget cuts. In fact, this campus is growing - nursing, nutrition, education, and social work degree programs are moving downtown as well as other administrative functions. Today, we have 4,400 students downtown and plans to grow to 15,000 students by 2020 is on-track.
By the way, Downtowners are enjoying three new eating establishments on the ground floor of the Walter Cronkite Journalism School. We are also enjoying their great lectures that are open to the public. Thanks, ASU. As you grow, things keep getting better and better for the rest of us!
Her Secret is Patience
Feb 10, 2009
I met Janet Echelman tonight. What a gentle, talented lady. Her new air sculpture debuts in Downtown Phoenix this March - first the netting and then the lighting. She announced the name of her new sculpture tonight - Her Secret is Patience, from Ralph Waldo Emerson's line, Adopt the pace of nature...her secret is patience."
This is a preview of Janet Echelman's work. Enjoy!
My New Backyard - Civic Space Park in Downtown Phoenix
Feb 10, 2009
Everyday I walk 1/2 block from my loft to the construction site of Civic Space Park at Fillmore and 1st Avenue in Downtown Phoenix. I peek through the canvas-draped construction fence and watch the busy activity. I am astounded how beautiful it is becoming - the trees are planted and are starting to bloom, the rolling landscape is shaping up, and the historic building is looking mighty chic. The icing on the cake will be the dressing of the blue rings suspended in the sky. Sky Bloom will soon sport 600 lbs of netting - can't wait to see the final effect!
(By the way, the artist of Sky Bloom, Janet Echelman, is here in town and will be speaking at the Burton Barr Phoenix Library tonight. Join me there!)
I live at the Chester Place condos in the Roosevelt Historic District of Downtown Phoenix. Sunday morning I walked a few blocks, boarded the light rail, and headed up Central Avenue to have brunch at Switch. They offer simple and delicious breakfast dishes (which they are happy to convert to vegetarian!) and they keep the coffee flowing. The $1 cocktails and great atmosphere definitely add to the mix. The real delight, however, was their new boutique Farmers Market that they host every Sunday. Local baked goods, homemade soap, and a small florist in town all contribute to this small but useful market.
There are certainly a lot of great brunch spots in Downtown Phoenix but Switch is taking the extra step to extend and support the local community. Kudos!
Royal Willetta Condos in Downtown Phoenix
Nov 27, 2008
I was sad to hear that Royal Willetta Condos in Downtown Phoenix on Willetta and 3rd Street has been put on hold. I love how they took this retro building and updated the exterior. The studios and one-bedroom condos were only 480 to 750 sq ft but you can do a lot with that much space! Hope this one is resurrected.
Roosevelt Square Townhomes in Downtown Phoenix
Nov 27, 2008
Roosevelt Square Townhomes in Downtown Phoenix are tucked among apartment units by the same name at Roosevelt and 2nd Av, 3rd Av & Portland. There are18 three-level units ranging in size of 1967 to 2882 sq ft. These large condos have offices and 2 car garages. Best of all..they are close to light rail.
Rojo Lofts in Downtown Phoenix
Nov 27, 2008
Luis Salazar's Rojo Lofts in Downtown Phoenix are still on the drawing board. Perhaps next year we will see construction begin on these six Manhattan-style loft condos at 13th Street and Jefferson. Ranging in size from 1652 to 1753 sq ft, they will have acid stain concrete, bamboo hardwood floors, exposed concrete block, weathered steel, painted sheetrock, aluminum and glass storefront walls, three sources of natural light, energy conscious construction, and a 2 car garage. Rojo Lofts will be right on the light rail.
Renaissance Park Condos in Downtown Phoenix
Dec 20, 2008
Renaissance Park condos are located on 7th Street and Washington in Downtown Phoenix. These one- and two-bedroom, single-story and 2-story condo units range in size from 707 sq ft to 1720 sq ft with prices starting in the low $200,000s. This gated community was built in 1985 and features lush landscaping and two swimming pools. Renaissance Park is on the light rail and is across the street from the Arizona Science Center, Heritage Park, and the medical school.
To view more photos or Renaissance Park condos, click here.
Regency House Condos in Downtown Phoenix
Nov 29, 2008
Live next door to the Heard Museum! Regency House condos are located on Central Ave and Hoover along the Central Corridor in Downtown Phoenix. This 21-story high-rise condominium building has 117 condo units ranging in size from 1400 to 1800 sq ft. Amenities include valet service, 24-hour doorman and security, underground assigned parking. Prices are in the $300,000.
Portland Place Condos in Downtown Phoenix
Nov 29, 2008
Portland Place condos are located in the Roosevelt Historic District at Portland and 2nd Avenue in Downtown Phoenix. This wonderful development is on a tree-lined street ending at Portland's Restaurant and it overlooks the Deck Park and the Japanese Friendship Garden. It is within a block of a light rail station.
This new 6-story building has condos ranging in size from 950 to 3200 sf with prices of $370,000 to $1.5 million. Amenties include underground secured parking, rooftop pool, private patios/balconies, and gas fireplaces.
Portland 38 Condos in Downtown Phoenix
Nov 29, 2008
Construction is complete and ready for move-in at Portland 38 Condos in Downtown Phoenix. Located at Portland and 7th Street in the Downtown Phoenix Arts District these 3-story one and two bedroom condominium units range in size from 1217 to 1550 sq ft. Prices are $229,000 to $344,000
Portland 38 condo units have polished concrete floors, concrete block walls, natural wood beam ceiling, oversized heavy commercial grade windows, 18 foot ceiling in living room, upgraded stainless steel Miele appliances, Bosch washer & dryer, quartz countertops, European maple cabinets, Mosiac unglazed bathroom tile, and designer lighting. It has a 40-foot pool, reflection garden & barbeque.
Metro Manor Condos in Downtown Phoenix
Dec 20, 2008
Metro Manor condos are located at 19th Avenue and Colter in Downtown Phoenix. This development features twenty-six, two-story condominium townhomes with one 1,850 square foot floor plan. Each condo features two master bedroom suites, a sundeck, an office cubby, reading nook, 2-car garage, and a walled rear yard. The community offers a heated 50’ double lap and play pool with adjoining beach, a spa, picnic tables, and misting system. There also have two on-site orchards of Myers lemon and pink grapefruit trees and a 6’ bronze sculpture in the traffic circle – “Self-Made Man” by Bobbie Carlyle. Metro Manor is on the light rail and is just a short walk from Spectrum Mall and Harkins Theater. Prices are in the mid $300,000s.
Lorna Park View Estates are located at 3rd Avenue and Culver in the Downtown Phoenix Roosevelt Historic District. These ten, two-story traditional loft-style townhomes have 2 bedrooms and a loft den/office with a square footage of 1518. Each has a 2 car garage. Built in 2000, Lorna Park View Estates overlooks Deck Park (hense, its name) and is close to the light rail and Burton Barr Central Library.
To view more photos of Lorna Park View Estates, click here.
Landmark on Central Condos in Downtown Phoenix
Dec 20, 2008
Landmark on Central condos are located on the light rail at Central Avenue and Camelback in Downtown Phoenix. This 17-story high-rise condominium tower has 280 single level condo units ranging in size from 440 to 1133 sq ft. Prices of these studios, one- and two-bedrooms begin at less than $50,000.
Landmark at Central is an eclectic mix of modern urban and vintage 1960s decor with spectacular north and south city views, floor-to-ceiling windows in each room, crown molding, and exposed ductwork in the kitchen and bath. The community has a fitness room, clubroom with kitchen, movie theater, large swimming pool with BBQs, roof-top Sky Lounge with pool table, flat-screen TV, outdoor fireplace, doorman, and underground valet parking. The original Landmark was built in 1964 and was converted to contemporary units in 2005.
To view more photos of the Landmark on Central, click here.
Downtown Phoenix’s Roosevelt Historic District Just Keep Getting Better – We’re Getting New Trees this Saturday!! Shade!!
Nov 13, 2008
Join us this Saturday, November 15th, as Mayor Phil Gordon kicks off his tree planting program on 6th Avenue and Roosevelt. The Mayor and more than 60 neighbors and volunteers will plant 30+ trees throughout the neighborhood. Additional tree plantings are planned for the fall and spring during years ahead. Roosevelt is great now – I live here and love it! – but it will be even better with shaded sidewalks.
6th Avenue has an interesting history. Once a blighted block lined with barbed-wire fences and boarded up "tear-down” homes, 6th Avenue between McKinley and Roosevelt is now one of the hidden jewels of Downtown Phoenix. In 2002, Reid Butler and Sam Greene saw something in the once beautiful but severely neglected and abandoned historic homes. Butler took on the east side of the block and developed Roosevelt Commons, a mix of restored bungalows and new buildings that is now one of downtown's premier rental communities. Greene and another investor purchased the properties on the west side of the block and began a tedious two year renovation process. Today, the west side properties are home to a diverse group of businesses including television production, marketing agencies, law firms, and a record label. Most recently, Gary & Christine Leavitt developed Chester Place, an 11 unit condo community that was developed with the same vision, uniqueness, and quality to complement the existing street.
Renaissance Park Condominiums in Downtown Phoenix
Oct 30, 2008
Want to live in Downtown Phoenix and think you can't afford it? Think again. There is a unit at Renaissance Park, at 7th Street and Washington, that has been beautifully remodeled. This condo is a 2 bedroom/2 bath unit that is just under 1000 sq ft and it lists for $219,900.
Penthouse at the Embassy Condos in Downtown Phoenix
Oct 30, 2008
In the heart of Downtown Phoenix in the Roosevelt Historic District, the Embassy condominiums has an 11th floor penthouse that is exquisite. It has two bedrooms, 1.5 bath, 1390 sf, and lists for$525,000. The location couldn't get any better, the price is right, and the downtown views cannot be beat...anywhere.
Evergreen 9 Condos in Downtown Phoenix
Oct 30, 2008
Evergreen 9 condos, located in Downtown Phoenix at 3rd Street and Willetta, have nine three-story condos that are one and two bedrooms. They range from 1240 to 1425 sq ft and have a first floor 1-car garage and flex room. Evergreen 9 condos are very contemporary, using industrial building materials to make minimalist living spaces. Starting at $249,900.
Christensen Court Condos in Midtown/Downtown Phoenix
Oct 17, 2008
Christensen Court, eight two-story luxury homes in Midtown/Downtown Phoenix, are located in a mature residential area at 12th Street and Missouri. These units are 2 and 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths and have a separate den. Each is approximately 2300 sq ft. The interiors are stunning with 9’ ceilings, acid-stained concrete floors, and designer carpet. Each condo unit has a 2-car garage, patio, and side yard. Architect: Studio MA
Tapestry on Central - Condominiums on the Light Rail in Downtown Phoenix
Oct 15, 2008
Talk about location!? Downtown Phoenix's Tapestry condominiums are on Central Avenue right on the light rail. In fact a rail station is just outside their door. The development has 280 condominiums and features 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom condos ranging in size from 837 to 2067 sq ft. Each unit has at least one large patio and the amenties are great. There is a clubhouse, heated lap pool, spa, fitness center, and movie theater. Parking is underground with elevators taking residents right to their floor. Tapestry on Central - check them out!
CityScape Pours Office Tower Foundation...Huge Milestone for Downtown Phoenix
Oct 15, 2008
CityScape is being poured...it's concrete foundation, that is. RED Development is pouring 2,000 cubic-yards of concrete that will be the mat foundation for One East Washington Office Tower in Downtown Phoenix. The 560,000 square-foot tower, scheduled for completion in December 2009, will be home to Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. and the Wachovia Corporation.
In addition to the pour, construction of the new Jefferson Street entrance ramp to the Patriot’s Park garage and removal of the laser light tower is underway. Construction of the new park and associated surface improvements will begin early 2009 and complete later that year.
Construction on this multi-phase development began in October of 2007. In addition to the office building, Phase I also includes approximately 200,000 square-feet of retail and restaurant space and 1,250 below grade parking spaces. CityScape’s second phase includes condominium units and a four-star Kimpton Hotel Palomar.
UrbanLiving360 - Downtown Phoenix lofts, high-rises, and unique condominiums
Pre-Construction Prices on Select Units at 44 Monroe
Jul 21, 2008
For several years, I have watched 44 Monroe being built, floor by floor. At the same time, I watched the prices at 44 Monroe increase. No surprise there. But now it is time for the new residents to begin to move in and a few are unable to make the move (They can't sell their suburban home or they got married and their spouse is afraid of heights...) These people bought in early, paid their down and selected upgrades, before the price increases. Today, it is possible to buy a select few of these units at the same pre-construction prices.
Example: The developer is selling floor Plan C, 965 sq ft, 1 bedroom/1.5 bath, 9-29 floors, no upgrades, for $483,100-$779,900. You can get the same unit on the 16th floor unit, including upgrades, at the original contract price of $455,000. For details, click here.
So, if you have ever had the desire to live at 44 Monroe, and many of you do because you write asking about them all the time, get in touch with me again. I will be happy to discuss this with you.
urbanliving360.com - Downtown Phoenix lofts, high-rises, and unique condominiums
Downtown Phoenix to be a Connected Oasis - City Council Votes Today
Jul 02, 2008
Downtown Phoenix is going green! Today the Phoenix City Council is expected to pass a portion of the Urban Form Project that includes the Connected Oasis. This is a blueprint for increasing downtown shade, parks, and foot traffic. The Connected Oasis plan is beautiful...check it out by clicking here.
Condo and Hotel Developers Seeking Train "Quite Zone" for Downtown Phoenix
Jun 16, 2008
Developers want to silence nearly all train horns on a stretch of tracks on the southern end of Downtown Phoenix. The proposed quiet zone would impact Union Pacific trains that travel along Harrison Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Street. Several developers have built condos in the area and other plans to build more condominiums and hotels are underway.
Train engineers honk their horns at each railroad crossing in Phoenix. In quiet zones, train operators use horns less often. A temporary quiet zone may cost as little as $250,000 but would face a years review by the Federal Railroad Administration. A permanent quiet zone could cost up to $4.5 million but many of the recommended improvements are probably already in place, substantially reducing the price tag. The city has already contributed $150,000 toward the project, and several businesses have raised about $100,000 so far.
Developers have big plans for the neighborhood. W Developments, the firm that built the Summit at Copper Square, is involved in the proposed Jackson Street Entertainment District for the area. CityScape, a $900 million RED Development project, is expected to include hotels and dwellings. The Luhr's building will one day be a hotel
UrbanLiving360 - Downtown Phoenix Lofts, High-rises, and Unique Condominiums
Another 3.2 Miles of Light Rail Will Connect to Downtown Phoenix and Downtown Tempe
Jun 11, 2008
The light rail line keeps on growin'! Work will begin soon on another 3.2-miles starting just south of Bethany Home Road stretching north on 19th Avenue to Dunlap Avenue. It will connect to the 20-mile Metro light-rail line, which will start running in late December. Utility relocation starts this fall with the first track probably to be installed in late 2009 on a project scheduled for completion by 2012.
To clear a path for this light rail section, in May 2007 Phoenix began to buy homes. So far 38 residential properties have been purchased at a price of $7.4 million. The city is buying four remaining residential properties but more could be added as the light-rail design for the route is completed
City officials say 15,135 residents live within a half-mile of the northwest extension, with 6,855 housing units in the area, and this will allow many north-central Phoenix residents to more easily travel downtown and as far as Tempe and Mesa. The Metro light rail will run south from Bethany Home Road, wind its way through central Phoenix and downtown and go east on Washington Street to Tempe and Mesa.
Downtown Phoenix Luhrs Block to be Revitalized
Apr 30, 2008
On Monday, the Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission approved a proposal that would set aside $500,000 to preserve two iconic, 1920s-era downtown Phoenix skyscrapers. The proposal would also allow the developer to raze buildings on the south side of the block to make room for a future hotel.
Hansji Urban bought the Luhrs block for $28 million last year. The block was built by a pioneer-era Phoenix clan. The patriarch, German immigrant George Heinrich Nicholas Luhrs, built the 10-story Luhrs Building in 1924 and he broke ground on the 14-story Luhrs Tower in 1929. The area is bound by Central Avenue, First Avenue, Jefferson Street and Madison Street, nestled between future developments, CityScape and the Jackson Street Entertainment District
The City Council could consider the proposal as early as June. If approved, Hansji Urban would get $500,000 in city grant money to help preserve the vacant Luhrs Building, which needs many repairs. The plan would also protect most of the one-story span along Jefferson Street that links the Luhrs Building and Luhrs Tower. Other buildings on the south side of the block - including a 1950 parking structure and a 1951 Luhrs Tower annex that faces First Avenue - could face the wrecking ball.
The firm plans to invest $1.3 million to rehab the outside of the vacant Luhrs Building, which needs the most repairs. Luhrs Tower is occupied and needs less work. Bringing the Luhrs Building up to code and other upgrades could cost another $8 million. Ultimately, Hansji Urban, which is affiliated with an Irvine, Calif. hotel developer, plans to build a hotel on the south side of the block. The proposed hotel, which would take a year and a half to plan, could rise as more 200 feet tall.
Talks Revive Hopes for Cancer Center in Downtown Phoenix
Apr 28, 2008
Recent talks between Banner Health and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have revived hopes for a comprehensive cancer center in Downtown Phoenix. Houston-based M.D. Anderson serves 80,000 cancer patients a year as one of the country's oldest and largest cancer centers. The collaboration between the two major players is seen as a positive sign for metro Phoenix, currently served by branches of two noted cancer clinics.
Price Reduction at Portland Place Condominiums in Downtown Phoenix
Apr 28, 2008
Portland Place has just released new pricing on select units. These units have been discounted from 10-20% from last week's asking price! Check out urbanliving360.com for more details and to request information.
Downtown Phoenix Dwellers Anticipate Hotel Monroe
Apr 28, 2008
High-end business travelers will not be the only ones to benefit from the addition of Hotel Monroe to our turf. Sure we love witnessing the transformation of this historic Valley Bank Building into a luxury boutique hotel taking shape at Monroe Street at Central Avenue. But what really gets us going is picturing ourselves meeting friends at the underground wine bar, The Vault, then deciding whether to grab a bite at the bistro, splurge on fine-dining or head straight for the rooftop bar for some star-gazing, all on site. (And of course, hopping the light rail home!)
Located on Monroe Street at Central Avenue, Hotel Monroe is on track for a late November opening according to Grace Communities, also the developers of downtown Phoenix's 44 Monroe high-rise condo project. We'll be ready when they are, so save us a table: Happy hour, anyone?
Battle Over Downtown Phoenix Garage is Finally Over
Apr 12, 2008
After a long year, the Phoenix City Council has made a decision about the fate of a Downtown Phoenix parking garage, the controversial Jefferson Street parking garage. Both the Phoenix Suns/Arizona Diamondbacks and the Jackson Street Entertainment District groups want it but the City Council has decided that the sports group will purchase it for $20 million dollars. However, the city council has stipulated that they must negotiate with the principals of Jackson Street Entertainment District about wrapping the south side of the garage with shops and multifamily housing.
The final agreement also asks the principals of the Sun/Diamondbacks to develop the historic Sun Mercantile Building and a hotel in the area so that it is consistent with the Jackson Street developers' plans. Last year, they had to scuttle plans to build a $200 million W Hotel on land between US Airways Center and the garage.
The proceeds of the $20 million sale will go to CityScape to help fund the $900 million complex of offices, hotels, shops and restaurants.
Key Growth Areas - Downtown Phoenix Biomed District and the 20-mile Light Rail
Apr 02, 2008
Today, the Phoenix Business Journal reports:
The metro region's key growth areas for commercial and mixed-use real estate in the near future are downtown Phoenix, the light rail corridor, downtown Mesa and the southwest and southeast areas, according to a new report from Colliers International. The annual report, called 2020 Vision, was released Wednesday by Colliers at its meeting at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa.
The most immediate growth is expected in and around downtown Phoenix's bioscience community and along the 20-mile light rail system from northwest Phoenix through downtown to Tempe and Mesa, said Colliers Managing Director Mike Fitz-Gerald. In downtown Phoenix, where more than $3 billion in public and private redevelopment projects are under way, officials are awaiting a final decision from Florida pharmaceutical executives interested in opening a regional office in downtown Phoenix. It would open with 20 employees and expand to as many as 300. Fitz-Gerald and Colliers Associate Kevin Lange declined to identify the Florida company. They are anticipating an official announcement from the company soon.
Lange said the Florida company's president and chief executive officer, during their recent visit to Arizona, were courted by a team of representatives from the offices of Gov. Janet Napolitano, Mayor Phil Gordon, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and The Plaza Cos. Lange said the meetings with the Florida executives "just a couple of months ago" took place at Mayo Clinic Hospital and at TGen before they ended up in the offices of GPEC President and CEO Barry Broome.
Lange said the Florida executives, who visited San Diego and other cities, were attracted to downtown Phoenix because of the existing 28-acre bioscience community northwest and northeast of Van Buren and Seventh streets. Its members include TGen, UA College of Medicine, UA College of Pharmacy; ASU School of Nursing; Arizona BioMedical Collaborative, the proposed Phoenix Biomedical Plaza and a proposed teaching hospital.
Fitz-Gerald and Lange said they are receiving more inquiries from developers and investors interested in property within about 2 miles of the bioscience community and other new work in downtown Phoenix. "They want to be as close as possible to the biomedical campus," Lange said.
He also briefs callers about properties along the light rail system, which is scheduled to open in late 2008. "The light rail corridor has become very important," Lange said.
Looking for a Loft Near the Downtown Phoenix ASU College of Nursing?
Apr 02, 2008
The ASU College of Nursing just keeps getting bigger and better! (See expansion info below) If you are a nursing student or a member of the faculty, there are great options for nearby chic urban living - and at affordable prices! Check out 215 E. McKinley and Roosevelt 11 and give us a call at 480-232-9699 if you would like more information.
ASU News: Tuesday, the ASU College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation broke ground on a $30 million addition to its existing five-story building in Downtown Phoenix. Opening in 2009, it will provide more teaching and office space for the college. Started in 1957 with just three faculty members and six students, the school now has nearly 2,000 students and is the nation's largest. In 2002, ASU graduated an average of 160 nurses a year. Now it graduates 320 a year.
ASU is in the midst of a multi-million dollar building spree in the heart of Phoenix. The university partnered with Phoenix city leaders to open a downtown campus in 2006. It's a key part of plans to revitalize the heart of the city. Construction crews are building a $150 million student housing complex, which is called Taylor Place, a $71 million school of journalism and a $30 million park with a $2.4 million artwork crafted by Boston artist Janet Echelman.
Boutique W Hotel - Aloft - in Downtown Phoenix
Mar 08, 2008
On March 19th, the Phoenix City Council will most likely approve a great new urban-chic boutique hotel called aloft. Nestled between 44 Monroe and CityScape, this 107-room W Hotel brand will sit on the SE corner of Central Avenue and Adams. Of particular interest to us Downtown Phoenix residents is that its ground floor retail could include a much needed downtown drug store. We aren't the only ones excited- check out this You Tube video about aloft in Green Bay.
Other aloft brand hotels are scheduled to open in the Phoenix metropolitan area:
Chandler - Opening February, 2009
Glendale - Opening October, 2008
Phoenix-Airport - Opening March, 2009
Tempe - Opening January, 2009
High-rise 44 Monroe in Downtown Phoenix Nears Completion
Feb 21, 2008
This June, Scottsdale developer Grace Communities expects to finish the first dozen floors of its 34-story Downtown Phoenix high-rise, 44 Monroe - the tallest residential building in Arizona. By August, the rest of the building interior will be completed. The 196-unit condo tower will bring more full-time residents to downtown, a key component of long-term plans to bring vitality and foot traffic to the neighborhood. Cost: $160 million. For a hard-hat tour of the building, call 480-232-9699.
Third Street Promenade Leads to Downtown Phoenix
Feb 20, 2008
If you have been watching the delightful resurgence of 7th Avenue, turn your eyes east to 3rd Street. Several high-end residential and non-franchise boutique-business developments are planned in an area known as the Third Street Promenade, between Steele Indian School Park and Downtown Phoenix.
Among the developers is Urban Dencity, a Scottsdale-based architecture and design firm. The company hopes to build Soleil, a four-unit residential project at Third Street and Mulberry Drive. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouses would be nearly 3,700 square feet each and would start at $1.35 million. All the units would have outdoor lap pools, roof decks and 10-foot ceilings. They also hope to build Forma on Third Street at Windsor Avenue. The two-bedroom lofts would have a pool and large patio and roof decks. Urban Dencity also will take advantage of the area's potential business options with a mixed-used development on Third and Flower Streets. This development would have luxury condos on the top floor as large as 3,000 square feet and commercial projects on the ground floor. A restaurant, a wine bar, a little market. Hope so!
Union Square Hopes to Transform a Downtown Phoenix Neighborhood
Feb 05, 2008
Mike Lafferty, president of Lafferty Development, Inc., will build 11-story Union Square on the SE corner of 12th Street and Washington in Downtown Phoenix. With a light rail station of each side of this project, Union Square will include 280 condos, public and business meeting rooms, a 175-room hotel, and street level retail. His intention is to engage the neighborhood residents and adjacent property owners to create a business district that encourages more live/work/play activity in the area. To lead the charge in accomplishing this goal, he hired "the best urban planner known to God" according to Lafferty. She is Dana Crawford, the brain behind Larimer Square and other projects in Downtown Denver. We can't wait to see her magic in Downtown Phoenix!
Downtown Phoenix Office Space Will Grow by 42% Through 2011
Jan 11, 2008
Have you noticed all the construction cranes in Downtown Phoenix? The Phoenix Business Journal explains part of it by reporting that office space in downtown Phoenix will grow by 42 percent through 2011. An Integra Realty Resources study states that current inventory sits at 4.94 million square feet, with another 2.05 million feet expected to be built between 2008 and 2011. That number puts Phoenix 11th among U.S. cities for downtown construction, which is expected to total 88.5 million square feet nationwide over the four-year period.
New York tops the list with an expected 20.8 million square feet of new construction, followed by Washington at 9.69 million. Rounding out the top 10 are Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Houston; Miami; Nashville, Tenn.; Salt Lake City; and Seattle.
The report also shows downtown Phoenix vacancies at 8.5 percent, compared with a national average of 11.1 percent. Detroit has the highest vacancy rate at 24 percent, while Charlotte has the lowest at 3.5 percent.
FAA clears Downtown Phoenix CityScape project
Jan 11, 2008
On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration ruled that the three-square block Downtown Phoenix project, CityScape, poses no risk to aircraft that fly in and out of nearby Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Monday's FAA ruling helps clear the way for one building, with hotel rooms and condos, to rise as high as 510 feet.
"We initially issued a Notice of Presumed Hazard because the structure heights exceeded several FAA obstruction standards," said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. After further review, the agency concluded that the projects "punches up" into an airspace buffer, but doesn't have a negative effect on flights.
Modern Downtown Phoenix Condos Near Completion
Dec 11, 2007
Relax on your upstairs terrace at Portland Two and take in the spectacular view of Downtown Phoenix. Located at 7th Street and Portland, these contemporary townhomes are just about ready for move-in. Sporting exposed ductwork and other lofty elements, these large spaces range from 1,600 to over 2,165 square feet. And, to top it off, they have attached 2-car garages, a rare thing indeed in the heart of downtown Phoenix!
CityScape Breaks Ground in Downtown Phoenix
Dec 08, 2007
CityScape is real and is going to happen! Construction begins next month, first move-ins 2009, and completely finished by 2011. There will be 1200 condominiums, 2 boutique hotels (400 beds), 600,000 sf Class A office space with Wachovia Financial as their anchor tenant, and 250,000 sf retail/restaurant space including AJs Fine Foods and PF Chang’s. At $900 million, this is the largest private investment project in the history of Downtown Phoenix. We are so proud of you, Phoenix!
I was glad to read in today's Phoenix Business Journal that because ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus is funded by a bond program, it is largely immune from state budget cuts. In fact, this campus is growing - nursing, nutrition, education, and social work degree programs are moving downtown as well as other administrative functions. Today, we have 4,400 students downtown and plans to grow to 15,000 students by 2020 is on-track.
Everyday I walk 1/2 block from my loft to the construction site of Civic Space Park at Fillmore and 1st Avenue in Downtown Phoenix. I peek through the canvas-draped construction fence and watch the busy activity. I am astounded how beautiful it is becoming - the trees are planted and are starting to bloom, the rolling landscape is shaping up, and the historic building is looking mighty chic. The icing on the cake will be the dressing of the blue rings suspended in the sky. Sky Bloom will soon sport 600 lbs of netting - can't wait to see the final effect!
Join us this Saturday, November 15th, as Mayor Phil Gordon kicks off his tree planting program on 6th Avenue and Roosevelt. The Mayor and more than 60 neighbors and volunteers will plant 30+ trees throughout the neighborhood. Additional tree plantings are planned for the fall and spring during years ahead. Roosevelt is great now – I live here and love it! – but it will be even better with shaded sidewalks.
In the heart of Downtown Phoenix in the Roosevelt Historic District, the 
